Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will formally half methods with Actual Madrid as a free agent, mentioned the LaLiga membership on Sunday, with the striker set to affix Saudi Arabian membership Al-Ittihad.
Benzema — who had a 12 months left on his contract — will signal for Al-Ittihad after receiving a two-year contract value €400 million, as per the reviews within the Spanish media.
The star striker, who joined the membership in 2009, has scored 353 objectives and 165 assists in 647 video games for the Los Blancos.
The Frenchman has received 5 Champions Leagues and 4 La Liga titles with Madrid.
“Actual Madrid C. F. and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to finish their good and unforgettable stage as a participant of our membership,” Actual Madrid mentioned in an official assertion.
“Actual Madrid desires to point out its gratitude and all its affection to the one who’s already certainly one of our biggest legends.
“Karim Benzema got here to our membership in 2009, when he was solely 21 years previous, and has been a elementary participant on this golden age of our historical past. In the course of the fourteen seasons during which he has defended our protect and our shirt, he has received 25 titles, a file determine at Actual Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Membership World Cups, 4 European Tremendous Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 King’s Cups and 4 Spanish Tremendous Cups.”
Benzema, 35, is the present UEFA Golden Ball and Participant of the Yr, whereas additionally profitable the 2022 Pichichi Trophy.
“Karim Benzema is the fifth participant who has worn our shirt essentially the most instances with 647 video games and is the second historic scorer of Actual Madrid with 353 objectives. He’s additionally Actual Madrid’s second historic scorer in each the League and the European Cup. And he’s additionally the fourth scorer of the Champions League within the historical past of this competitors and the fourth scorer within the historical past of the League,” the assertion added.
“Karim Benzema’s profession at Actual Madrid has been an instance of behaviour and professionalism and has represented the values of our membership. Karim Benzema has earned the correct to determine his future,” the Spanish membership mentioned in a press launch.
“Actual Madrid followers and all of the followers of the world have loved his magical and distinctive soccer, which has made him one of many nice myths of our membership and one of many nice legends of world soccer.
“Actual Madrid is and can at all times be his house, and he needs him and his complete household the perfect on this new stage of his life.”
The membership additionally introduced that on Tuesday, June 6, an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Benzema will happen in Ciudad Actual Madrid.